Greece looks for stronger trade links with Pakistan, underlines demand of qualified workers

Greece’s Ambassador Eleni Pouriki has underlined the need to create chances for Pakistani skilled professionals in Greece as both nations are eager to diversify trade, investment and economic relations outside conventional industries.

Greek Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Andreas Papastavrou, while visiting Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) held talks with the LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol and discussed improvement of bilateral commerce and establishment of direct business contacts between business communities of the two countries.

Pouriki emphasized the important role the private sector might have in the expansion of Pakistan-Greece economic relations and urged for more intensive business-to-business (B2B) contacts.

There is demand for Pakistani qualified workforce in Greece and employment opportunities are accessible in agriculture, engineering and other areas, she said.

The envoy also pointed on the importance of diversifying bilateral commercial ties. Apart from textiles, she said, tourism and renewable energy were other fields with great potential for cooperation between Pakistan and Greece.

When asked about the tourist business, which is a major revenue earner for Greece, Pouriki said her country can share the expertise in improving tourism infrastructure with Pakistan.

President LCCI Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol said that Pakistan and Greece should look for more cooperation in agriculture and minerals and mining as partnership can provide new economic potential.

“Greece could benefit from Pakistan’s technology, expertise and experience in a number of sectors, particularly tourism,” he said.

Saigol said that the two countries need to have more exchange of business delegations and B2B meetings to enable the entrepreneurs to find possible partners and investment prospects.

Both sides agreed that enhanced cooperation between the Pakistani and Greek business sectors might help unlock latent trade possibilities and expand bilateral economic relations.

The discussion also underlined the prospects of enhancing Pakistan-Greece economic connections beyond traditional commerce to include cooperation in technology, skilled personnel, renewable energy, tourism, agriculture and mineral development.